an Clarkesbridge & 1st Newtownhamilton Presbyterian Church a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2023 Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC104941
Presbyter an TRusfEES ANNUAL REPORT The Trustees present their Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2023. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS st Clarke5bridge & l Newtownhamilton congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Cortamlet Road, Newtownhamilton, BT35 OEE Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC104941} CHARITY TRUSTEES The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were Rev. Richard Ker Graham Mr. Alan Smyth Mr. David Smyth Mr. Mervyn McBride PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS Minister Rev. Richard Ker Graham Clerk of Session Mr. Alan Smyth Church Secretary Mr. William Hughes Treasurer Mrs. Fiona Smyth
Presbyter an TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {cont'd) STRucfuRE AND MANAGEMENT The Klrk Session The charity trustees of the congregation are the members of its Kirk Session. Under the congregation's governing document, The Code, the book of the constitution and government of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Kirk Session seeks to watch over and promote the spiritual interest of the congregation and of person5 not connected with any congregation who are within its bounds. It ensures pastoral care is in place in the congregation and seeks to further the contribution of the Church to Christian witness and service in the local community. The Kirk Sessions ha5 delegated to its Congregational Committee the temporal affairs of the congregation including administering all fund5 and property belonging to the congregation. Members of the Kirk Session are ex-off icio members of the Congregational Committee. The Kirk Session consists of the ordained minister and the ruling elders of the congregations. All members are entitled to propose, speak and exercise equal votes at meetings, except that the Moderator, the minister5 in active duty in the congregation, has no deliberative but only a casting vote. Stated meetings of the Kirk session are held at least twice in each year or as appropriate. To be chosen for the office of the eldership in the congregation a person must be a voting member and a regular attendant of its ordinances. The selection of those proposed to be called to the office, can be either by the congregation or by the Kirk Session. Members are elected if they obtain two-thirds of those who vote. Presbyterv Under the Presbyterian Church in Ireland form of governance the corporate oversight of a congregation is the responsibility of a Presbytery which superintends generally the spiritual and temporal affairs of the congregations assigned to it by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Clarkesbridge & 1st Newtownhamilton Presbyterian Church has been assigned to the Newry Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The membership of the Presbytery consists mainly of the active ministers of congregations assigned to it by the General Assembly, ministers who have retired from active duty and an elder appointed by the Kirk Session of each congregation.
Presbyter an TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) The General Assembly The General Assembly is the supreme court of the Church, representing in one body the whole Church and acting as its supreme legislative, administration and jud icial authority, in dealing with all matters brought before it. The General Assembly is normally constituted during the first week in June for worship and to conduct its business. At the end of business it is dissolved. The membership of the General Assembly consists mainly of the active ministers of each congregation, retired ministers and a representative elder appointed by the Kirk Session of each congregation. DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE Clarkesbridge & 1st Newtownhamilton Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The Presbyterian Church in Ireland, as a Reformed Church within the wider body of Christ is grounded in the Scriptures and exists to love and honour God through faith in His Son and by the power of His Spirit, and to enable her members to play their part in fulfil li ng God's mission to our world, The congregations, mission purpose is by the grace of God, to help people of all ages become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. Our vision is, by the grace of God, to be an inclusive, welcoming community of Christ's people of all ages, which.. is increasingly characteri5ed by love for God, and love and concern for others. is committed to the h istoric Christian gospel as revealed in the Bible,, is relevant to people of this time and place. The congregation aims to live out its Mission and Vision as a family of God's people by being: A Covenant Community: where our relationships are rooted in the promises of God by living faithfully toward him and toward one another An Intergenerational Community: where adults intentionally take the lead to engage with, encourage and nurture younger members to maturity in Christ. An Outward looking Community: where we want the blessings of God that belong to us in the gospel to become blessings for others beyond the bounds of our community. As a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, we believe that the Bible is the Supreme authority over all we do, and that the Westminster Confession of Faith, along with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms set out what we understand the Bible teaches on key matters of Christian faith and practice.
Presbyter an TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (convd) AcfiviTIES AND OBJEcfivES The congregation meets for worship every Sunday and visitors are welcome to join. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is observed on several occasions during the year and all those who have been baptised and who have made a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are adrnitted to the Lord's Supper. The congregation holds regular Bible study meetings and has a wide range of organisations including Sunday School Presbyterian Women Good News Club Holiday Bible Club Teen & Twenties Bible Study Class ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Worship and prayer The congregation normally meets for worship each Sunday at 11.00am and 8.00pm on the fourth Sunday of each month. During the week the Bible Study/Prayer meeting provides an opportunity for Members to meet for fellowship, to study the scriptures and for a time of prayer. On 31 December 2023 there were 44 communicant members and 47 families connected with the congregations. Pastoral care Members of the congregation who are unable to attend church due to sickness or age are visited on a regular basis by the ministerand elders.
Presbyter TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {conVd) Mission and outreach At a local level the congregation held several special midweek meetings during the year where missionary speakers were invited to come and speak to those present concerning their work. These meetings were supported by other local fellowships from the district outside of our denomination. The congregation supports the United Appeal for Mission which 15 a central fund of the PresbY(erian Church in Ireland. This fund enables congregations to support the wider mission of the denomination and to do mission and outreach on denominational basis beyond what the congregation could do on its own. The United Appeal Fund provides financial support for mission personnel at home and overseas, assists congregations with the deployment of locally based staff, enable5 church planting, provides grant support for the upkeep of church premises, a5SiSt with the running costs of Union Theological College, the Church's training college for ministry student5, and financially support5 congregations in the areas of worship, discipleship, global mission, outreach, leadership and pastoral care. During 2023 the congregation also contributed to the work of: Tear Fund, Belfast City Mission, Earl Haig Fund, Mercy Ships, Middle Eastern Reformed Fellowship and Presbyterian Children's Society. Presbytery The congregation was represented at the regular meetings of Presbytery by our minister and / or one of the elders. This provides an important link between the congregations and the wider structures of the church. General Assembly The minister and one of our elders were nominated to attend the meeting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland held in Assembly Buildings, Belfast, in the month of June 2023. Property 2023 saw our general project of maintenance and repair on the Meeting House, Manse and surrounding grounds continued. Substantial repairs were completed on the Meeting House roof and a program of painting and decorating at the Manse was also completed.
Presbyter TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (conVd> Organisations Sunday School met each Sunday morning during the months of February to June (10:00am until 11:00am) and September to December (10:00am until 11:OOaml during 2023. It was normally attended by 9 children from the age of 4 to 12 years and taught by 2 Sunday School teachers. The children would sing as well as learn catechism and were taught Bible lessons by their teachers. All teachers had the appropriate child protection training. Teen'5 & Twenties Bible Study class for teenagers met on two Sunday evenings during the months of February to May (8'.30pm until 9:30pm) and September to December {8:30pm until 9:30pm) during 2023. It was normally attended by 9 - 12 young people from the age of 14 to 19 years and taught by 2- 4 teachers. The lessons consisted of Bible reading and discussion to enable the youn8 people to meet the challenges of the world before them. All teachers had the appropriate child protection training. Good News Club met fortnightly for 6 sessions from to September to December 2023 in Clarkesbridge Church Hall. During each session up to 23 children, aged 4 to 11 years old, met to pray, sing, memorise Bible verses, learn about missionaries, hear Bible Stories and to play games or do crafts. Throughout the session5 the children received consistent Bible teaching. 4 leaders led the club each time they met and all had the appropriate child protection train ing. The Presbyterian Women meetings were held two nights each month for fellowship, from January to April & September until December. Various topics were discussed and prayerful support of various for missionary organi5ations offered up. During the month of December, the Presbyterian Woman organised a Congregational dinner, with the combined support off our sister congregation5 in County Monaghan. It was attended by 60 individuals of all ages. Holiday Bible Club for boys and girls of primary school age was held during the last week of June 2023. It was attended by 45 children from age 4 to 11. During each evening there were singing, quizzes, memory verses and bible lessons followed by games outside, weather permitting. Many of our teenage young people and young adults lead these activities, 5UPPOrted by more senior members of our congregation and all activities were completed under our child protection guidelines. Volunteers The Trustees wish to acknowledge their deep appreciation of those who give freely of their time by serving on cornmittees and helping with organisations and other church activities.
an TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT {conVd) PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT The Presbyterian Church in Ireland meets the public benefit requirement by providing benefit to its members and the general public by making known the Christian Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through the advancement of religion. The direct benefits which flow from the purposes of the Church include the gaining of an understanding in Christian beliefs as set out in the Bible and in the Church's subordinate standards (the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Shorter and Larger Catechisms) leading to spiritual and moral development and opportunities for response to Bible teaching. In turn, thi5 framework leads to practical expressions of Christian beliefs and standards in the local community such as through the care of those in need (including the sick, disabled and bereaved). Generally, the above benefits are delivered locally by congregations and their members, or are facilitated through presbyteries or are organised and delivered centrally. Local delivery is facilitated by central resources in almost all cases. Public access is made known through the use of notice boards, printed material, press advertisement, websites, and social media or in other ways. The benefits are demonstrated through regular evaluation of the services and informal and ad-hoc feedback from members, their families, and members of the public. The purpose does not lead to harm. The only private benefit flowing from our purpose is related to Ministers, Missionaries, Deaconesses, Irish Mission workers and Lay Agents who receive benefits as a result of their holding office or employment. However, this is incidental and necessary in order to further our charitable purpose. There are no other private benefits, The beneficiaries of this purpose are members, their families, other individuals that the Presbyterian Church in Ireland is in direct and indirect contact with, the community in which pastoral services are provided and other communities throughout Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and worldwide which benefit from our engagement with and 5UPPOrt for both Christian and other secu13r organisations, charities and individual members of the public. The Kirk Session has had regard to the Charity Commissions public benefit requirement Statutory guidance,
Presbyter TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont'd) FINANCIAL REVIEW The congregation's main Source of income is members, contribution5 through the Weekly Freewill Offering. There were 60 regular contributors during the year 2023. The Congregations total income for the year 2023 w35 £53,742 and the total expenditure was £80,934 RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPECT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the funds transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the congregation. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the congregation and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. As the congregation's total income does not exceed £250,000, the Trustees have elected under section 64{31 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 to prepare a receipts and payments account. This Financial Account, for the year 2023, has been adopted by the congregation, approved by the Church Committee and audited by Mr. Colin Whiteside, Newry. A copy of this Financial Account will be submitted to the Charity Commission (Northern Ireland) with the Trustees Report th Approved by the Kirk Session at a meeting on 17 October 2023 and signed on its behalf by Rev. Richard Ker Graham Minister Mr. Alan Smyth Clerk of Session